Following the recent announcement of the loosening of lockdown measures in England, many of Newquay’s hospitality and hairdressing businesses are gearing up to reopen and claw back some of the summer season, adapting their businesses to ensure COVID compliance and finding a new way to adhere to the new requirements and protocols.
The Prime Minister has announced that from Saturday 4th July, that pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID secure guidelines. Theatres, cinemas, libraries, museums, theme parks and zoos are among other businesses that can also reopen, but indoor gyms, spas, swimming pools, nail bars and indoor play areas will remain closed until a further announcement is made.
One of the many Newquay-based businesses forced to close shop because of the coronavirus crisis but can now reopen is the (former) Boathouse Restaurant on Newquay Harbour (now the Boathouse Food Hub). The restaurant team has used the lockdown period to re-evaluate its future objectives and the way it moves forward and has thus made the decision to pivot entirely from a traditional restaurant set-up to becoming a host to a varied selection of local street food vendors.
From July 4th, the food hub will be serving fresh Cornish seafood, gourmet burgers, tacos, pizzas and more to the town’s residents and visitors. Newquay’s stylish gin bar, Bar 55 Yards will be operating the bar serving its popular gins that are distilled in Newquay plus an exciting menu of cocktails, great Cornish cider, lager and beer, good wine and fresh coffee and tea.
Pub establishments which have been particularly badly hit by the pandemic have now also had the green light to reopen. St Austell Brewery’s Newquay pubs, the Great Western, the Central Bar and the Fort Inn are looking forward to welcoming customers back.
Also very pleased with the announcement is Newquay Bay Resort, owned by the UK’s fastest growing holiday resort company, Aria Resorts. The traditional British seaside campsite is set to reopen its doors to guests on July 4th and is putting all the necessary measures in place to keep everyone safe, including guests, holiday homeowners and staff.
The new Cove24 restaurant and bar will reopen and is currently taking bookings for the opening week, having very quickly reached maximum bookings for its inaugural opening night. Speakeasy Tom Thumb will also reopen with table service and limited numbers to be seated by the staff but with the same friendly and flawless service.
Jodie Young Colour Bar and Salon is set to reopen on July 4th and the team is currently working through its waiting list, as is family run barber shop and coffee lounge, Teddy Freddy’s Barberesso and Chocolate Hair Salon amongst others.
Owner of the Boathouse Food Hub, Roger Spurrell said, “It was a sad day back in March when our reopening was put on hold indefinitely while we waited to see how this would play out. During the lockdown we had a chance to step back and look at how we wanted to move forward in such uncertain times. It was a difficult and emotional decision for us to say farewell to the restaurant but we’re excited about our new venture. This summer, The Boathouse will become The Boathouse Food Hub. We’re delighted to be teaming up with other local businesses who have also suffered over the last few months and we’re positive that together we will create an exciting new destination for both locals and visitors.”
Steve Worrall, Managing Director of St Austell Brewery’s Pubs, Inns and Hotels said, “This week’s Government announcement provided much needed clarity and came as a huge relief. Now that we have a firm date, we can fully focus on getting ready to reopen safely on 4th July, including our Newquay pubs – the Great Western, the Central Bar and the Fort Inn. We’ve invested in extra measures for our pubs – led by Government hospitality guidelines – including our new order and pay app, enhanced hygiene procedures, spaced tables and one-way systems.”
Steve continued, “Our customers may notice some small differences when they come back and see us, but we’re confident that we can deliver a great pub experience and our usual warm welcome, with delicious food and local draught beers. We know for so many, pubs play an important role at the very heart of communities. We’re looking forward to welcoming local residents, and visitors to Newquay.”
Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) manager Carla Marie Jones said, “Last week’s announcement was very welcome for many of Newquay’s businesses, particularly those in the leisure and hospitality sectors as well as hairdressers who will no doubt be very busy! Naturally the reduction of the two-metre social distancing rule to one-metre if two is not viable is also a game changer for many operations, making a key difference in the capacity at which they can operate. It is fantastic to hear what businesses are doing to adhere to the new loosened regulations. This bounceback spirit and determination to triumph through adversity exemplifies the grit and innovative nature of the town’s businesses and their hardy resilience as they navigate towards their own ‘new normal.’”
Carla continues, “We are so pleased for all the businesses that are gearing up to reopen their doors after months of uncertainty and are here to support where needed to make the process as seamless as possible, as well as mutually beneficial for all. If any member businesses need support with deciphering the new guidance and understanding what it means for them, or need practical or logistical help with implementing any of the required changes such as using outdoor space, floor markings, staggered entries, data collection or cleaning procedures, we would ask them to get in touch with us via email and we will do our best to signpost to relevant organisations who are also available to offer support to businesses during this time.
Carla continued, “Despite this being a very positive next step towards economic recovery, we still eagerly await the government’s update around businesses such as indoor attractions such as the The Trampoline Park and Waterworld. Newquay was said to be one of the worst affected areas in the country as recently reported on the national news, but it won’t be defeated by the virus, where this is a crisis, there is also an opportunity, its great to see many businesses continuing to adapt in the face of adversity and we look forward to witnessing Newquay returning to a buoyant and healthy trading environment in the hopefully near future.”
An extensive ‘Business Re-Opening Guide’ which details all safety measures for businesses, cleaning protocols, risk assessment templates, and a ‘Back to Business Checklist’, as well as details of free, sector specific webinars is available to view at: https://www.businessregulatorysupport.co.uk/recovery. For further information on business support, please visit: https://www.ciosgrowthhub.com/.
If any Newquay-based businesses would like Newquay BID to share its news through its channels, such as any details of re-opening, changes to opening hours or simply positive business news, please do send all content to social@newquaybid.co.uk.
